WORCESTER hooker Samantha Dale is in line for her England debut after being named on the bench for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy at the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome.

England Women's head coach Gary Street has made five changes to his squad from the side that thrashed Wales 55-0, but Worcester number eight Catherine Spencer remains as captain of the side.

Clifton prop Sophie Hemming will start, with Henley's Rochelle Clark wearing the number three shirt.

Leos lock Sarah Beale will also start in the second-row, while Street has called up England A' skipper Karen Jones. Richmond fly-half Alice Richardson will also start in place of Katy McLean.

Street said: "We have got around 30 players who are capable of playing Six Nations rugby so it is only right that the likes of Sophie, Sarah, Sam, Karen and Alice are given their chance."

England last played Italy a year ago in the Six Nations and ran out 23-0 winners at Twickenham.

Although the Azzuri failed to put any points on the board then they provided England with one of their toughest games of the championship.

England: Charlotte Barras (Saracens); Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Claire Allan (Saracens), Rachael Burford (Saracens), Danielle Waterman (Clifton); Alice Richardson (Richmond), Amy Turner (Richmond); Sophie Hemming (Clifton), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Rochelle Clark (Henley), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Sarah Beale (Leos), Karen Jones (Richmond), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Catherine Spencer (Worcester, capt). Replacements: Samantha Dale (Worcester), Katy Storie (Blaydon), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Jane Leonard (Wasps/Army), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Victoria Massarella (Saracens).